Finalproject6

Final Project 6 - Book Background
Mark B Period 6 The Giver Project Part - 2 Book Background

Lois Lowry has written two Newbery Honor Books, one of which being the Giver. Lowry said that she wrote the Giver because she is interested in memories, what they do, what we can learn from them, and how they work. Lowry feels that Utopia is familiar, comfortable, and safe. She felt great about getting rid of the things that she fears and dislikes. Lowry decided to do away with violence, injustice, prejudice, poverty, and added good manners as a way of life; because that is the way she would like life to be. On the contrary, she thinks that we can’t live in a “walled-world,” because she enjoys colors, choices, and diversity of human beings. Her message to the readers is to develop the courage necessary to defend their freedom and to discover their values. Additionally, Lowry warns about the killing of babies in the future, like Jonas' father did. Moreover, she feels that Jonas represents the modern teenagers’ ability to resist control and Sameness. The community represents the “possible future with continued restriction, conformity, and apathy.” Many people have different theories about the ending of the Giver, and that is exactly what Lowry desires. She wishes that readers bring in their own beliefs, hopes, dreams, and fears into the end of the story and doesn't want to get in the way of their opinions. Personally, she thinks that it is an optimistic ending because of the music and lights. Contrary to what some people say, Lowry does not think that Jonas and Gabriel died. That’s why Lois Lowry left the Giver with a conclusion that is open-ended.

Sources: http://loislowry.com/pdf/Newbery_Award.pdf

http://utopian-dystopian-fiction.suite101.com/article.cfm/lois_lowrys_the_giver

http://www.randomhouse.com/teachers/guides/give.html